Course Description:

This year-long online course reimagines how 21st-century scholars approach Fiqh Methodology by exploring Kateb Chelebi’s Mizan al-Haqq. Through a blend of Usūl al-Fiqh and Usūl al-Maqāsid, students will critically analyze each chapter of Mizan al-Haqq. The course emphasizes how scholars can use contemporary research, critical thinking, and contextual understanding to address modern challenges while remaining faithful to Islamic principles.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of Usūl al-Fiqh and Usūl al-Maqāsid principles.
• Analyze classical texts critically using contemporary methodologies.
• Learn how to apply Islamic legal and ethical principles to modern contexts.
• Foster a mindset of intellectual rigor and creative problem-solving for scholarly work.

Syllabus Overview:

January:

• Introduction to Contemporary Fiqh Methodology:
  • The life and legacy of Kateb Chelebi.
  • Overview of Mizan al-Haqq as a framework for critical thinking.
  • Understanding the interplay of Usūl al-Fiqh and Usūl al-Maqāsid.
• Chapter 1: The ‘Life’ of the Prophet Khidr (Analyzing Tradition and Contextualization).

February:

• Chapter 2: Singing (Contextualizing Cultural Practices in Fiqh).
• Chapter 3: Dancing and Whirling (Balancing Aesthetics and Ethics).

March:

• Chapter 4: Invoking Blessings on Prophets and Companions (The Role of Rituals and Consensus).
• Chapter 5: Tobacco (Identifying Harm and Maṣlaḥah in Modern Contexts).

April:

• Chapter 6: Coffee (Debating Social Norms through Legal Reasoning).
• Chapter 7: Laudanum, Opium, and Other Drugs (Understanding Addiction through Illah and Modern Science).

May:

• Chapter 8: The Parents of the Prophet (Analyzing Controversial Topics with Compassion).
• Chapter 9: The Faith of Pharaoh (Exploring Theology and Legal Reasoning).

June:

• Chapter 10: The Controversy concerning Sheykh Muhyi’l-Din ibn ‘Arabi (Handling Divergent Views in Legal Discourse).
• Chapter 11: The Cursing of Ta’id (Ethics of Disagreement).

July:

• Chapter 12: Innovation (Revisiting Bid‘ah in Modern Practice).
• Chapter 13: Pilgrimages to Tombs (Balancing Spirituality and Jurisprudence).

August:

• Chapter 14: The Supererogatory Prayers (Establishing Priorities in Worship).
• Chapter 15: Shaking Hands (Legal and Ethical Perspectives on Modern Interaction).
• Chapter 16: Bowing (Cultural Sensitivity and Legal Boundaries).

September:

• Chapter 17: Enjoining Right and Forbidding Wrong (Critical Application in Contemporary Society).
• Chapter 18: The Religion of Abraham (Universal Principles and Legal Specificity).

October:

• Chapter 19: Bribery (Understanding Corruption through Maṣlaḥah and Mafsadah).
• Chapter 20: The Controversy between Abu’l-Su’ud Efendi and Birgili Mehmed Efendi (Analyzing Fiqh Debates).

November:

• Chapter 21: The Controversy between Sivasi and Qadizade (Exploring Juristic Methodologies in Conflict).
• Chapter 22: Applying Mizan al-Haqq to 21st-Century Issues:
  • Critical methodology for emerging topics (AI, environment, bioethics).
  • Extracting insights for modern challenges.

December:

• Chapter 23: Synthesizing Mizan al-Haqq:
  • Revisiting the 7 Usūl al-Fiqh and Usūl al-Maqāsid principles.
  • Developing frameworks for 21st-century Fiqh scholarship.
• Course Wrap-Up:
  • Student presentations on applying Mizan al-Haqq to contemporary case studies.

Key Features:

• Interactive Seminars: Weekly analysis and application discussions.
• Critical Assignments: Monthly case studies linking classical insights with modern challenges.
• Research-Driven Learning: Emphasis on developing original research grounded in Islamic tradition.

Assessment:

• Participation in discussions and case studies.
• A reflective research paper on applying Mizan al-Haqq principles to a selected contemporary issue.

Going above and beyond traditional seminaries, Critical Loyalty incorporates a strong focus on critical thinking and depth through research. 

There are NO EXAMS for this course. All year-long courses get added to your ‘Alimiyyah Degree 8-year requirement. 

Registration for the next session is NOW OPEN

Course information

Name of Course: Fiqh Methodology for the 21st Century: A Study of Kateb Chelebi’s Mizan al-Haqq

Days and Timings:

• Sundays from 12 pm-1 pm Mountain Standard Time

Duration: January 2025 to December 2025

The first class is on January 5, 2025